More than 40 medical professionals who believe health services in Victoria's north-east are being ignored and underfunded are calling on voters to cast their ballots strategically in the upcoming state election.

The Social Services Minister has indicated a short-term lifeline may be thrown to a charity that provides 67 million meals for hungry Australians each year after Government moves to split food charity funding between three agencies.

The leaders of Victoria's two major parties hit the hustings on the first day of the state election campaign, with Premier Daniel Andrews heading north-east and Opposition Leader Matthew Guy going west.